Hello, Movie Friends!
As we head into the first weekend of August, there’s a whole lot of summer fun and even some Christmas cheer left to enjoy on TV! Whether you’re winding down from a busy week or staying cool indoors, there’s a mix of seasonal favorites and fresh premieres to catch this weekend!
Hallmark Channel kicks off its *Summer Nights* lineup this weekend, and over on Great American Family, *Christmas in July* keeps going strong! Even though we’ve officially turned the calendar page, the holiday magic continues on GAF with festive films running throughout the weekend.
If you're in the mood for something a bit more suspenseful, Lifetime is premiering a new faith-filled thriller that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat and the Hallmark Channel is airing another installment of the "Aurora Teagarden Mysteries," featuring familiar Hallmark actors and a new case to unravel.
See details below...
Friday, August 1 - early Monday, August 4, 2025:
Christmas in July Weekend Schedule:
Friday, August 1, 2025:
A Royal Date for Christmas ... Great American Family ... 12am
Destined 2: Christmas Once More ... Great American Family ... 2am
My Favorite Christmas Tree ... Great American Family ... 4am
Our Christmas Wedding ... Great American Family ... 6am
Christmas in Scotland ... Great American Family ... 8am
12 Games of Christmas ... Great American Family ... 10am
Santa, Maybe ... Great American Family ... 12pm
Christmas Sweethearts ... Great American Family ... 2pm
Christmas Lovers Anonymous ... Great American Family ... 4pm
A Royal Christmas Ballet ... Great American Family ... 6pm
Christmas Next Door ... Hallmark Channel ... 6pm
Bringing Christmas Home ... Great American Family ... 8pm
Christmas in Rome ... Hallmark Channel ... 8pm
Meet Me Under the Mistletoe ... Great American Family ... 10pm
Saturday, August 2, 2025:
Call Me Mrs. Miracle ... Great American Family ... 12am
I'm Glad it's Christmas ... Great American Family ... 2am
Designing Christmas with You ... Great American Family ... 4am
The Great Christmas Switch ... Great American Family ... 6am
A Puppy for Christmas ... Great American Family ... 8am
Home Sweet Christmas ... Great American Family ... 10am
Jingle Bell Princess ... Great American Family ... 12pm
Destined at Christmas ... Great American Family ... 2pm
Let it Snow ... Great American Family ... 4pm
A Christmas Castle Proposal ... Great American Family ... 6pm
Royally Wrapped for Christmas ... Great American Family ... 8pm
Peppermint & Postcards ... Great American Family ... 10pm
Sunday, August 3, 2025:
Joy for Christmas ... Great American Family ... 12am
Christmas Time is Here ... Great American Family ... 2am
A Christmas Wish in Hudson ... Great American Family ... 4am
Journey to Christmas ... Great American Family ... 6am
The Art of Christmas ... Great American Family ... 8am
Tails of Christmas ... Great American Family ... 10am
A Christmas Less Traveled ... Great American Family ... 12pm
'Twas the Text Before Christmas ... Great American Family ... 2pm
Once Upon a Christmas Wish ... Great American Family ... 4pm
A Christmas Blessing ... Great American Family ... 6pm
Christmas on Windmill Way ... Great American Family ... 8pm
A Brush with Christmas ... Great American Family ... 10pm
Monday, August 4, 2025:
My Christmas Hero ... Great American Family ... 12am
Christmas Under the Northern Lights ... Great American Family ... 2am
A Belgian Chocolate Christmas ... Great American Family ... 4am
Saturday, August 2, 2025:
Movie 1 of 3
Storyline: Newbie police detective, Cora, is partnered with visiting detective, Liam, on her first case. Little does she know, Liam is her reincarnated love here to change her fate.
Premieres Saturday, August 2, 2025
at 8pm/7c. on the Hallmark Channel
Saturday, August 2, 2025:
Storyline: Adapted from best-selling author Terri Blackstock’s book, If I Run follows Casey Cox (Kat Graham), a woman on the run after discovering her best friend Brent has been murdered—and she is being framed for it. Not knowing who to trust, Casey flees, using her intelligence and resourcefulness to stay hidden and the signs of divine guidance to help her in her journey. Meanwhile, Dylan Roberts (Evan Roderick), a war-weary veteran and private investigator with PTSD, is hired to track her down. As Dylan digs deeper into the case, he begins to suspect that Casey might actually be innocent and that the real story is far more complex—and dangerous—than it first appeared.
Premieres Saturday, August 2, 2025
at 8pm/7c. on Lifetime
Sunday, August 3, 2025:
Storyline: When the owner of the diner where Aurora Teagarden works is suddenly killed, her new boyfriend becomes the primary suspect.
Premieres Sunday, August 3, 2025
at 9pm/8c. on the Hallmark Channel
Just a quick thought (or two!) on the NEW Weekend Movies...
Okay, I must say... the old-fashioned images/promos Hallmark has released for the new 3-part movie series, Providence Falls, look absolutely beautiful. There's a dreamy, romantic feel to them that really draws you in. That said, I did notice the word "reincarnated" in the story synopsis, which gives me pause. As a Christian, I personally don’t believe in reincarnation. Hebrews 9:27 says, “And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment,” which clearly shapes my view on this topic.
So, I’m curious... does one (or more) of the characters actually experience reincarnation in this story, or is the term being used more loosely, perhaps to describe time travel or some other kind of connection across time? I'm personally game for a fun time-travel film like Back to the Future or A Biltmore Christmas, etc... but if the story is, indeed, centered around reincarnation, then dreamy or not, I'm out.
NOTE: Due to the suspenseful nature of this Lifetime film, Terri Blackstock’s If I Run, I expect the movie to have violence, adult dialogue, and content not suitable for young viewers. Discretion is advised.
Thought it would be fun to note... There are several familiar faces in the new Aurora Teagarden Mysteries: Death at the Diner - including Kimberly Sustad (The Nine Lives of Christmas), Steve Bacic and Sarah Strange (Garage Sale Mystery), and Caitlin Stryker (Ainsley McGregor Mysteries: A Case for the Winemaker).
Also, be sure to note the time change for this premiere. The movie will air at 9pm/8c, which is different than what the poster says above.
Are you planning to catch any of the new movies this weekend? Please share in the comments below... I’d love to hear what you’re planning to watch! I’ve got some family plans, so I’ll likely need to record the premieres and catch up later. Still, I’m hoping to sneak in a few of the wonderful Christmas movies airing this weekend, especially since it’s the final chance to see *Christmas in July* on Great American Family!
Blessings to you all,
Net
SHINING HIS LIGHT:
"Let the name of the Lord be praised,
both now and forevermore.
From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,
the name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is exalted over all the nations,
his glory above the heavens."
~Psalm 113:2-4
I look forward to the Christmas movies coming in October.
ReplyDeleteI do not think that the new "mini" series on Hallmark Providence Falls is something I will watch. Will see what else might come on.
Man, Providence Falls looks amazing! -Maria
ReplyDeleteThank you Net for always standing strong on your faith. PF does look good but I’m not going to watch either if the story involves reincarnation. Thanks for the heads up on this. Christie
ReplyDeleteFYI There’s another article on Providence Falls that teases steamy scenes.
ReplyDeleteAbout the If I Run movie…. Warning
ReplyDeleteEarlier, I said I read this book and liked it. But I mistaked it for something else. My sister read the books and said it was very dark and she skipped pages. Sorry about that. This may be one we want to avoid.
The movie is based on these books: https://www.goodreads.com/series/297113-providence-falls
ReplyDeleteProvidence Falls
ReplyDeleteS1 E1: Chance of a Lifetime
Cora, a new police detective, is partnered with visiting detective named Liamis her reincarnated love who’s here to chance her fate
Providence Falls
ReplyDeleteS1 E2 An impossible Promise
August 8, 2025
Hallmark Channel
Detectives Cora & Liam must solve a murder, all while Liam pushes Cora toward Finley “Finn” Walsh, her fates match, in order to chance their destinies
I mean August 9, 2025, not August 8, 2025
DeleteI have to admit, I’m drawn to the Providence Falls, but turning away if it’s satanic.
ReplyDeleteOk, after watching the preview for Providence Falls. I’m more convinced this is going to involve sorcery. A woman snaps her fingers and transports him into a new life and talks about 7 souls being reincarnated. I’m going to have to pass now, the Lord hates witchcraft and this seems to point to it.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the heads up Abigail!
Delete~Paula
Abigail, thank you for sharing this. I hadn’t seen that promo. I’ve decided not to watch this.
DeleteProvidence Falls is o romantic and amazing! -Maria
ReplyDeleteMaria, I appreciate you sharing your thoughts.
DeleteI wish they hadn’t included reincarnation as part of the story, or I’d love to watch.
Also, I was curious… did you find PF to be steamier than most Hallmark shows. Did they keep the romance G-rated or more PG-13???
yes, it's all PG rated. Not more 'steamy' then any other show they have. -Maria
DeleteI wonder why Hallmark is premiering mysteries on their regular channel, and not Hallmark Mystery? They did it with the latest Hannah Swensen, and now the new "not-Aurora Teagarden" -- also the new Mystery Island later this month.
ReplyDeleteAny inside scoop?
Well, I don’t exactly have an “inside scoop” on this; however, here’s what I can tell you…
DeleteThe Hallmark Mystery channel hasn’t been pulling in great ratings, even for new premieres.
And since ratings mean advertising dollars, it makes sense they’d want to move more premieres (including mystery ones) over to the main Hallmark Channel, where they know more people are watching.
There’s even been speculation that the Hallmark Mystery channel could end, but we’ll see. That remains a mystery for now.
Should be interesting to see what they choose to do this Christmas, especially since the Merry Movie Week on Hallmark Mystery was shortened to just a weekend. Was that a message to us viewers that the Christmas movie premieres on Hallmark Mystery would be less, as well??? We’ll have to wait and see.
Not impressed with Hallmark's September schedule - there's a full blown gay relationship starring Johnathan Bennett - Florence
ReplyDeleteFlorence, Yeah, I wasn’t excited about this either. I posted the few new movies coming in September here: https://itsawonderfulmovie.blogspot.com/2025/08/hallmark-channels-september-2025-movie-premieres.html
Deletewe knew they were coming...these were the only non-Christmas movies left that premiered on + last year that have yet to air on linear (cable). I would guess the 3 Cherry Lane movies will make it into the holiday lineup also. Only one of these of the 3 they made last year include Jonathan & his storyline. The other three are hetero couples. There was supposed to be Her Knight at the Museum being adapted by Bryn Donovan who used to work for HM Publishing. I guessed since Tyler was in a commercial wearing a Knight costume that he & likely Heather Hemmens since she's also in a commercial with him would star in that, but unless it shot in the states or overseas, it was never on a production list. "Bryn" (pen name) said it was in development for this fall last fall, right before the book released, which was odd, b/c you're not supposed to share until Hallmark shares when your book or script is in development. Kind of odd to film a promo with someone in a Knight costume & not do that movie, though. I did hear rumblings that they may return to a few things to premiere on +, but not sure. If so, it will likely be Christmas related & be another collection to air next summer on linear. -QT on this post
DeleteHi Net, first off, I loved the scriptures you added from the book of Psalm! That is one of my favorite books (along with Mark, Matthew & Luke) to read when I really need encouragement to continue to praise God regardless of my circumstances. No matter what, He is always good! And I am with you in your reservations to the new movie Providence Falls. We don’t believe in reincarnation or life after death, ghosts, any of that either so I’m bummed I’ll be passing on this movie as the photos look so good! But oh well…I have so many movies in my DVR to watch as well as Chesapeake shores that my husband and I are finally watching after many recommendations from friends and family. We are almost done with season 1 and I was able to record them all as they had a marathon in April/May. Some of it is a little heavy for me as I’m used to the lighthearted storylines of Hallmark but my husband is enjoying the drama parts of it. I am curious to hear some reviews for the Lifetime one with Alexa Peña Vega if anyone here saw it. Hope everyone is staying safe & cool!
ReplyDelete~Paula
Paula, thank you, sweetie, for this lovely comment! I’m so glad you enjoyed the scripture I chose for the weekend. The Psalms always touch my heart, as well, and give me peace.
DeleteThank you for also sharing your thoughts about Providence Falls. It’s too bad they had to include that in the story. I’m rather surprised they didn’t premiere these movies in September or October, since it seems more appropriate leading up to Halloween.
As for Chesapeake Shores, it was a wonderful series for the most part. I don’t know how much you know, so I won’t spoil anything, but I’ll just say that I wish one of the sisters had ended up with someone different. Beyond that, it is a great family show. I believe it was in the last season that one character is mentioned to be gay, but it was a new character who came and went rather quickly.
Other than that, I loved the family moments, especially the Sisters!!! Enjoy! Enjoy! 💕💕💕
And yes, I’ve seen Alexa’s movie. I’ll try to share a review soon!
Blessings on your day!!!
Hallmark is full of deception! This channel will have a movie that a follower of Jesus Christ can watch, and then have too many that, if you truly love Jesus, you should not watch. I can not support Hallmark in any way.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I watched If I Run last night. First thing I will say is that if you don't like waiting to see how the story ends, don't watch it yet. The sub story concluded, but the main story is supposed to conclude sometime in 2026. I will also say I'm not great at writing reviews so my thoughts might be quite choppy. I'm trying not to say too much, with still giving information so I will say that it CONSTAINS SPOILERS!!!
ReplyDeleteThe main story is about a girl, Cass, on the run because police believe she killed a good friend of hers, and she is trying to find out the truth. There are scenes where you see the dead person with blood around him, the main girl washing blood off her hands and shoes, etc. I didn't find the murder mystery part of this to be too graphic. There is a young guy, hired by the dead man's family to look into the death, who suffers from PTSD and we see some flashbacks when he was in the war.
The sub story is about a young girl who disappeared, a few years back, from the small town that Cass is hiding out in. Her family doesn't know if she is dead or alive. We see a young girl with a baby in several scenes. She is locked up in a room, appears disheveled, and my assumption is that she had likely been raped. There's a man in this storyline who is what I would call verbally abusive to his wife, but also physically abusive to his wife...and Cass. He is shown grabbing their arms with force and demanding things of them. There is mention that this husband and wife are often at a bar and we do see them there once. There no excessive drinking on screen, but we later hear someone mention that "he's been drinking".
I did not notice any LGB.... content, sexual content, heavy language, etc. I would not recommend that children watch, and would be cautious with younger teens. If you don't mind the mystery/thriller type movie then you might enjoy it. I did and hope that part 2 doesn't let me down when it comes out next year.
Karen, Thank you so much for this review of "If I Run." I've watched the first two Lifetime suspense movies so far, and I was curious about this one. I truly appreciate your review and the time you took to write it. You did such a wonderful job explaining everything in great detail. Again, thank you! :)
DeleteWhat about Aurora? I know the movie aired a long time ago on plus but I’ve never seen a review if it’s family friendly or not. Can anyone help here? -Anonymous1
ReplyDeleteAnonymous1 - I can share my thoughts on it. I just watched it over the weekend...
DeleteMovie Review:
Aurora Teagarden: Death at the Diner – This is a cozy, family-friendly mystery, although keep in mind it is still a murder mystery and not intended for young viewers. The victim is shown being stabbed in the back in the first few minutes of the mystery.
I thought this mystery was a little more engaging than the previous, younger “Aurora” stories. Detective Cook (Steve Bacic, Garage Sale Mystery) seems a little nicer in this movie as it goes along, and it was kinda fun to see the friction between Cook and his ex-wife (Kimberley Sustad).
In addition to these familiar Hallmark faces, it was also great to see Steve’s fellow Garage Sale Mystery cast member, Sarah Strange, as one of the suspects. She was great in this role.
It was also sweet and bittersweet to see the way Arthur looks out for and cares for Aurora… especially bittersweet knowing they won’t end up together based on the future “Aurora” movies.
Perhaps, I’m over-thinking the series, but since they’ve gone back in time to the younger Aurora years, shouldn’t the year be the early 2000’s or so? I don’t recall seeing any reference to the actual year, but I wonder if all of the technology or cars in the show, etc… reflect that time period?
Anyway, as far as the mystery went… it was an interesting one to try to solve and piece together. I had my suspicions about two people, and one turned out to be right.
Overall, if you enjoy a light but clever mystery, you’ll likely enjoy this one. ~Net